I had yesterday the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of 300the 27th. Instant, which afforded me the greatest pleasure, as it assured me of your Excellencys Health, which I was fearful was affected, and shewed at the same time that you were in Spirits. The natural and political Climate of the Country, where your Excellency now is, being foggy a Man must have a stout Heart and strong Body to bear up against its effects. Your Excellency has them both for

I shall immediately pay attention to your Excellencys Hints, and shall hold a Talk thereon with my Friend This Evening.

I doubt not but that your Excellency has receivd an Account from Paris of the whole of the affair of Tarelton and the operations of the french fleet, as a Ship is Arrivd with Dispatches from Boston.

I shall set out from Hence with my Nephew about the tenth of next Month for Nantes. Your Excellencys Letters directed to me, will be faithfully deliverd.

I am with the greatest Respect Sir your Excellencys most Faithful Humb. Sert.

By the Tenth Article of the Treaty of Alliance between France and America, the most Christian King and the United States agree, to invite or admit, other Powers, who may receive Injuries from England, to make common Cause with them, and to acceed to that Alliance, under Such Conditions, as shall be freely agreed to and Settled between all the Parties.

It will be readily acknowledged that this Republick has received Injuries from England: and it is not improbable that Several other maritime Powers, may be Soon, if they are not already in the Same Predicament. But whether his Majesty will think fit to invite this Nation at present, to acceed to that Alliance, according to the Article, must be Submitted to his Wisdom.

It is only proper for me to Say, that whenever your Excellency shall have received his Majestys Commands, and shall judge it proper to take any Measures, either for Admitting or inviting this Republick to acceed, I shall be ready in behalf of the United States to do, whatever 301is necessary and proper for them to do, upon the occasion. I have the Honour to be, with perfect Respect, your Excellencys most obedient and most humble sert.